Welcome to the Book Reviews blog for the River Forest Public Library. Our staff reads all sorts of books, and we know our patrons do also. Visit us often for updates, to make suggestions, and to see what we are reading each month!
Roma’s December Recommendations December 15, 2009
City of Thieves by David Benioff
“City of Thieves is a coming of age story for two unlikely companions, a shy 17 year old jewish boy and the other a young Russian Soldier. It’s set during WWII in Leningrad. The two are sent on a mission for the Red Army Colonel.There is drama, humor, friendship and adventure.”
You can find this book in the library at FICTION BENIOFF
That Old Cape Magic by Richard Russo
“That Old Cape Magic is about a Middle Age Professor coming to terms with his childhood. Every summer growing up Jack Griffin, the main charater, traveled to Cape Cod with his parents. He nows finds himself back in Cape Cod were he goes through a mid-age crisis.”
You can find this book in the library at FICTION RUSSO, in with the new books.
Claudia’s December Recommendation December 10, 2009
Mudbound by Hillary Jordan
“The story takes place in 1940s Mississippi and portrays two families caught up in a tangle of history, tragedy and romance. It is told through the voices of the main characters as they struggle in the Jim Crow South. Jordan earned the Bellwether Prize for Fiction, awarded to a first novel that addresses issues of social justice.”
You can find this book in the library at Call # FICTION JORDAN
Kimberly’s December Recommendation December 10, 2009
Hundred Dollar Holiday: the case for a joyful Christmas by Bill McKibben
“Are you frazzled and overwhelmed and over budget this Christmas season? This book encourages us to examine why we celebrate the way we do and offers ways to simplify our Christmas observances. I have read it more than once to remind me of what I’d like to discover at Christmas–more joy, more fellowship, more meaning!”
Mary Ann’s December Recommendation December 10, 2009
When Everything Changed: The Amazing Journey of American Women from 1960 to the present by Gail Collins
“Learn fascinating details of the fight for equal rights. Even those who lived through it will be incensed all over again at women’s recent experiences…up to the Hillary/Sarah Palin era. Never strident – just the facts. Younger women who enjoy unlimited opportunities can gain insight into why their mothers and grandmothers go bananas when they put down the term ‘feminist.’”
You can find this book at Call # 305.4097 COL, in with the new books.
Megan’s December Recommendation December 10, 2009
The Many Lives and Secret Sorrows of Josephine B. by Sandra Gulland
“This book is the first in a trilogy following the life of Josephine B., Napoleon’s wife. The book is fiction created from real events, and its written in a diary/letter format. The book starts out with Josephine’s upbringing on the island of Martinique and follows her first marriage, move to Paris, and life during the French Revolution. Very interesting read- you will want to put the second book on hold while reading the first one!”
You can find this book in the library at Call # FICTION GULLAND
Joanna’s December Recommendation December 10, 2009
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
“For this month I’d like to recommend Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford.
The main character of this novel is Henry Lee, a Chinese-American, living in Washington. The novel opens in 1986 as Henry has just lost his wife to cancer. In chapters alternating between 1986 and the 1940s, we follow Henry as he reminisces about his wife and about a girl he once loved. We learn that in 1942, Henry Lee befriended a young Japanese girl, Keiko Okabe, in Seattle in 1942, much to the dismay of his Chinese parents. Their friendship grows against the backdrop of anti-Japanese sentiment and on the eve of the Japanese internment in the US. As we learn of Henry and Keiko’s friendship and their mutual love of Jazz, we discover Henry’s relationship with his son and how they grow closer after the death of his wife. Ford’s debut novel is well written, heart-warming, and contains a few surprises, both bitter and sweet.”
You can find this book in the library at Call # FICTION FORD
Katie’s December Recommendation December 10, 2009
The Christmas Cookie Club by Ann Pearlman
“I am in the Christmas mood, so I am limiting myself to Christmas books (or at least mostly Christmas books). This one was a little different. Each chapter was about a character in the book and Christmas cookie club. The stories were all interconnected and really brought out secrets, stories, and relationships. Another good and different thing I liked about this book was each chapter started out with a recipe for cookies. At this time of year, you can’t go wrong with more cookie recipes to choose from! It was a different type of Christmas story that focused a little on the past, however isn’t that what Christmas usually does for all of us?”
We have a copy of this title in large print, you can find it in the library at Call # Large Print Pearlman, in with the new books.
Hadley’s December Recommendation December 4, 2009
Push by Sapphire
“I read this a few months ago and thought I’d include it as this month’s selection since the book is getting more buzz now. If you didn’t already know, this is the book that the movie Precious is based on. I haven’t seen the movie yet, but the book is outstanding. A bit of background for those that aren’t familiar with the story: the main character of Push is Precious, a 16 year old African American girl who has been abused in every way imaginable. This book is not for the faint of heart. But it is incredibly honest in its delivery, and I found similarities in Push to books like The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, although Push takes place in a modern (80s), urban setting. It is an extremely challenging read, but ultimately an uplifting one.”
or Find It in the library under FICTION SAPPHIRE.
Claudia’s November Recommendation November 8, 2009
Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
This dark but redemptive novel shows the transformation of two tenants of a French apartment building. A fifty four year old concierge; cultured, intelligent, and philosophical, scrutinizes the lives of the tenents she serves. A twelve year old “supersmart” tenent is contemplating committing suicide on her thirteenth birthday. They both hide their talents and finest qualities from the world until a new tenent moves into the building and brings them together. The result is often humorous, heartbreakingly sad, and hopeful.
You can find this book in the library at Call Number FICTION BARBERY in with the new books.
Katie’s November Recommendation November 8, 2009
The Body in the Sleigh by Katherine Hall Page
Even though it is only November, I like to get into the christmas spirit as soon after Halloween as possible. The body in the sleigh is a christmas mystery that involves the obvious body in a sleigh but also a mysterious baby in a barn. This mystery is a good edge of your seat read while also getting you into the Christmas season!
You can find this book in the library at Call Number MYSTERY PAGE in wiht the new mysteries!
